Arjuna tree bark (Latin Name: Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.) is a cardioprotective botanical used in Ayurveda (East Indian traditional medicine) since 2500 B.C. It has remarkable cardioprotective, heart muscle strengthening properties. Here are good reasons to take 250 mgs of Arjuna with meals once or twice daily.

4. It decrease in LDL cholesterol levels. Arjuna’s ability to suppress the blood’s absorption of lipids indicates that it has cholesterol-regulating properties. Its principle constituents are §-sitosterol, ellagic acid and arjunic acid.

11. Arjuna can relieve symptomatic complaints of essential hypertension such as giddiness, insomnia, lassitude, headache and the inability to concentrate.

12. In a study on the efficacy of the bark powder in treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF), over 40% of the cases showed marked improvement. CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valve disease was also brought under control. 4 out of 9 cases of CCF due to chronic bronchitis were also relieved by the treatment.

Twelve good things about Arjuna, are one more example of your wide knowledge of alternative medicine, and its practical applications which you are so good to share with us. I have only a few questions.

1. Because it is so rich in many protective agents for myriad of body functions, can/should everyone take Arjuna for prevention, and if so, how often, and for how long?

2. If it is not advisable to take it as a preventive, can someone who does not have heart problems, but has white coat syndrome(elevated blood pressure when seeing a doctor), or a slow heart beat or slow pulse, take it? Again, if so, once or twicw daily?

Arjuna seems to be an excellent tonic for people who eat richly and avoid exercise. Those who live under stress or are at risk of heart troubles or high cholesterol. It has few if any contrindications –see details below. As a preventative, you might take 500 mgs daily – 1 pill and watch the results. I add 1/2 tsp to a pot of morning tea.

I would avoid arjuna if you are pregnant or lactating. It has not been tested so much under those conditions.

I would use it only with supervision if you have a very slow heart beat or hypotention – very low blood pressure.

Arjuna can thin the blood (anti-platelet activity) so be careful if you take those drugs (see below).
Avoid it if you bleed too easily.

Otherwise no unusual effects have been reported.

Here are some useful studies:

Clinical studies have been conducted in coronary heart disease using T. arjuna bark extract at doses of 500 mg every 8 hours.
Statistically significant reduction in angina and improved diastolic function was shown in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation at 1 and 3 months with T. arjuna . Effects similar to treatment with isosorbide mononitrate 40 mg daily were demonstrated in patients with chronic stable angina given T. arjuna bark extract. Reduction in the frequency of angina and improved treadmill exercise test parameters were shown.
Brachial artery endothelial dysfunction was improved after 2 weeks of T. arjuna bark extract versus placebo in young male smokers.

Hepatoprotection
In clinical trials and animal experiments, T. bellirica and T. arjuna , alone as well as in combination, exhibited hepatoprotective effects.

Dosage
Clinical studies have been conducted in coronary heart disease using T. arjuna bark extract 500 mg every 8 hours for up to 3 months. Dosages for other Terminalia species have not been clinically defined.

Pregnancy/Lactation
Because information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking, avoid use. One source cautions against taking T. bellirica and T. chebula during pregnancy.

Interactions
None well documented. Potentiation of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other anticoagulants might be expected because T. arjuna bark extract exhibits antiplatelet and anticoagulant action similar to that of aspirin.

Adverse Reactions
Research suggests extracts of T. arjuna are well tolerated. Adverse reactions similar to those seen with placebo (constipation, headache, abdominal discomfort, body ache) were described in one clinical trial, while mild gastritis was noted in another. T. arjuna also exhibits antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity.

Otherwise, my favorite combination for the heart is called Abana in India sold in NYC at Butala Emporium on E. 28th St. or online called Heart Care and sold by Himalaya
Abana (Heart Care) contains arjuna and many other herbs to strengthen heart action and reduce cholesterol.

In India some people take arjuna with milk as an aphrodisiac. But they take lots of tonic herbs with milk. The cow is sacred because she gives to all.

Dear Letha,
there I’ve been taking arjuna for cholesterol reduction and to strenghten my heart, having sustained a heart attack in 2005, for some years at bed time but it sounds like you recommend taking it with meals, did i goof/
Thank you in advance for your wonderful wrk and service to all of us!
Hannelore Devlin

Thanks for telling us about your use of arjuna. You can take it anytime. Sometimes it’s better to take it with meals if it upsets the stomach. In India they take it sometimes during the morning. But anytime is ok.

I was wondering if you had any recommendations for very slow wound healing. After being diagnosed as hypothyroid my iron has plummeted, and I am working on bringing that back to normal, and I no longer heal. It takes months and months for a scratch to heal, and then it scars. My PCP and endo don’t have any thoughts.

Hi Letha, First time contact for me. I have been tied to an oxygen line for about a year and a half (COPD). Was given some tests put on Spiriva, 4 liters oxygen 24/7 and sent home. I have been interested in alternative medicine for over fifty years which causes me to beleave there is something out there that will help this condition.
Today I read in the HSI bullaton about T Argina. What I read made me wonder if this might be the answer to my problem (blood preasure from 184/105 to 143/52 ==pulse rate continuously in the mid 90’s with spikes at 108 to 114 from just walking my living room. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you for the help you provide for so many people.

I cannot diagnose from here, but can tell you, so you can pass it on to your doctor, about arjuna and other helpful Ayurvedic heart tonics. My favorite combination of heart herbs made in India and the US is HeartCare (in India called Abana) made by Himalayahttp://www.herbal-provider.com/heart-care.html
You can add such a combination of herb used to reduce cholesterol and strengthen the heart muscle along with your regular prescribed heart drugs. The herbs do no harm. I have an article at this site describing a very successful herbal regime – Abana, additional arjuna, guggul to reduce cholesterol, and hawthorn to strengthen heart muscle. Here is the article and update written a year later reporting the success of this herbal regime. http://www.asianhealthsecrets.com/letha/?p=404

You should check with your doctor whether you need to reduce cholesterol (shown in blood tests) and/or strengthen the heart muscle (chronic heart failure which shows up in echocardiogram) Your (open-minded) cardiologist or other doctor should judge and can monitor whether you can use herbs. They are safer than drugs, lack the side-effects, but work gradually. NEVER stop your heart or other medications without checking with your MD. There can be serious rebound effects from stopping medicines, or even skipping a dose or two.

Do you feel that Arjuna is effective against persistent A-Fib? I am taking it along with Iodine fulfillment, Omega 3, niacin, folic acid, Cordyceps etc. The VA had put me on amiodarone but I declined the medication due it’s lethal nature and evidence of destroying the lungs, thyroid, liver, eyes, and heart.

If you want to try using herbs instead of heart drugs, make sure you regularly check blood pressure, cholesterol, and get echocardiogram results. I have written about herbs for heart problems, including those that affect heart beat regularity. I cannot tell whether arjuna would be enough in your case. It depends upon the length and severity of the problem. But I can say arjuna is very supportive of healthy heart tissue and regularity. It strengthens heart muscle, reduces cholesterol, and acts as a heart tonic. So does hawthorn. HeartCare (in India called Abana) combines many herbs including arjuna, guggul, Shilajit and others to reduce heart stress and support healthy heart function. You may need to combine several of the above herbs to make sure you get all the heart health you need. If you have unhealthy cholesterol, I would start with 3 HeartCare twice daily taken with 3 arjuna pills and 2 guggul. Check with tests regularly to see if the herbs and dose are working strong enough for you. I do not advise to suddenly quit medications. There may be a boomerang action that increases heart stress when you stop. Please discuss it with your heart doctor.

Is it advisable to take raw Arjuna bark powder combined with palm jaggery powder regularly to treat BP. I have already taken this combination for 15 days, twice daily around 3–4 months back and my BP has amazingly lowered. But now it seems like it is recurring. So, can I repeat the 15-day course, twice daily OR should I take it on a regular/daily basis? Pls. suggest. Thanks in advance.

Hi Letha,
Can I take raw Arjuna bark powder combined with palm jaggery powder and milk, twice daily on a regular basis (everyday)? I have already taken a 15-day course of this combination and the results were amazing, but it seems like it is recurring

You can take arjuna on a regular basis. In fact Abana a pill available in India (In the USA it is called HeartCare) it combines arjuna, guggul and other heart health herbs. The dose is 3 pills three times a day until BP is normal then 2 twice daily. So there is no harm in taking arjuna daily. Add it to tea if jaggery and milk seem too rich.
good luck, L.

Dear Letha,
I am from India and my neighbour, a 75 year old man has been diagnosed with two blocked arteries, 80% block, in the heart. Cardiologists have advised him that angioplasty as well as bypass is risky at his age. He is on allopath medication for diabetes. He has normal blood pressure and normal cholesterol. He does not have chest pain or any other external symptom of blocked coronary arteries. I want to help him in this regard. Can he take a combination of Abana and Arjuna (Both from HImalaya herbals brand) ? Or do you advice a combination of Abana and Geriforte ( AKA StressCare from HImalaya). I want to ensure he gets both arjuna and guggulu (present in Abana, but not present in Geriforte). Please help. I want to do this without stopping his diabetes medication. Any advice ?

I appreciate your desire to help your friend and neighbor, but you have to be careful in his case because of age and weakness. Perhaps Geriforte would be a good way to start because it may reduce stress and help him to heal and sleep. ABANA has shown no bad side-effects but his condition should be monitored. He may need immediate help with the blocked arteries so that a blood clot does not break loose and damage the heart.

I suffered a heart attach when i was 24 yrs old and underwent angioplasty . Now I am 36 yrs old. A recent angiography showed 45-50% blockage with in the stent . I am taking aspirin with clopidragil ( Brand name Clopitab A 75 mg in india ) . Can I take arjuna 500 mg tablet ? will it be helpful ? If so, what should be the dosages and when i should take it ( bef/after meals ) . Pls help.

Rajat
I would check with your heart doctor whether or not you can add arjuna to your medicines. It is astringent, lowers blood pressure, but you may need a treatment that is more immediate at this point.

Thanks Latha for your response. I have just undergone myocardial perfusion test ( kind of a nuclear test) and things have not worsened since my last angiography done in 2011. Doc has said that there is no need for any immediate action and has continued the same medicines. Can I now start arjuna 500 mg and if so, what should be the dosages ? I am taking few medicines for controlling BP alongwith Aspirin and Clopidragil ( Cardilol 6.25mg twice daily and cardace 2.5mg once daily ) .
thanks

Hi Letha,
My husband who just turned 40 was admitted into the hospital in Feb. for CHF. He also had very high blood pressure, 190/111. Echo and heart cath were performed with EF of 15-20%. They put him on a lasix, Cozaar, Potassium, Lipator and Coreg. He is to have another echo in June. I read in LifeExtensions about Cardio Peak with Hawthorne and Arjuna and bought some. I asked his cardiologist about these herbs but he stated he never heard of Arjuna and I would need to do my own research.

I am eager for my husband to try this but I am worried about any interactions with the prescription meds.

For your husband I would recommend a commonly used combination of heart herbs that contains arjuna as a main ingredient. In the USA it is sold by Himalaya health products and is called HeartCare. It supports heart health, helps reduce cholesterol while strengthening the heart muscle. I have clients who combine the herbal combination along with western heart medicines for hypertension and heart failure. See the research for arjuna at this website quoted from the manufacturer. Best of luck, Letha

My daughter has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and I am in search of an herb that does not lower blood pressure or thin the blood because of the medications she is on. She really needs help with the function of the heart as EF is 20 – 25. Are you familiar with Dan Shen at all? Any other suggestions?
Thanks

There may be drug interactions that prevent its use. Another option is arjuna or hawthorn. Both help regulate heart action and strengthen the heart muscle. Please check with your doctor and local herbalist before combining these herbs with heart medications.

My father is 82 yrs old with a dual chamber pacemaker. he has recently had CCF and fluid in his lung had to be aspirated. heart pumping capacity less than 30%. Should he take Arjuna? He is on heart related, blood pressure, thinning, pulse controlling, fluid removing etc medications.